Bucky and Barry are well known in Savannah’s music scene thanks to their weekly gigs at City Market in front of Wild Wing Café. You can see Bucky Bryant and Barry Johnson jamming every week from 6-9 p.m. Thursdays and from 1-4 p.m. Sundays.

In this prime location, they have seen their fair share of people enjoy their weekly shows a little too much.

“Once, a woman was so taken by Bucky and Barry that as she was rocking, she wasn’t watching where she was going and backed right into the horse trough full of water. I had to give her a CD for that!” Barry said.

Bucky and Barry’s interaction with their audience and willingness to play requests has made them a Savannah institution. These guys are both fun-loving, and the their forty-year-old friendship adds to their live performances.

Barry is a full-time musician while Barry is a Senior Account Executive for the Savannah Morning News.

They met in the first grade and grew up in the same neighborhood — Charles Herty in Bulloch County.

“Back in those days, school didn’t have ‘history.’ You just knew everyone …and everyone was friends. We lived ‘The Wonder Years’,” Barry said.

When asked why they started playing music, Barry chuckles.

“Probably the single biggest reason we started playing music … girls! They still play a big part.”

So what do they play to impress the ladies (and other fans too, of course)?

“A classic remake of David Essex ‘Rock On’ as done by Def Leppard. Johnny Mercer would love that version!” Or, “Dust in the Wind” which Barry just recorded with Billy Greer of the rock band Kansas, which he describes as “truly a dream come true for a local boy like me!”

“Savannah has become such a giant in the tourist industry that just watching all the change — whether you like it or not — is incredible. The people here have supported us for decades, and when we are on the road, we do Savannah proud! Wherever we go, people always say, ‘We are coming to Savannah to see you guys!” Barry said.

Although they love playing in Savannah and witnessing the changes and growth, Barry explains he would like to see some improvements made to help the Savannah music scene prosper.

“Savannah is in dire need of live music venues that have pride in their entertainers and the shows they put on. In this world, ‘you get what you pay for’ and unfortunately, there are many, many places that barely pay musicians,” Barry said.

“We love to entertain the tourists. When someone comes up and says, ‘we are from Europe and we saw you here years ago and came back to see you again,’ that’s really special. And there are four words that truly describe our feelings about City Market ... LOVE IN THE BUCKET. That says it all!” Barry explains.

That’s called a tip jar, folks! Come out and drop some love in the bucket this week for City Market favorites Bucky and Barry.